The Cumberland Tales, by Frank Wayne Mottl, is a collection of delightfully intimate anecdotes about a small town on Vancouver Island. The small town of Cumberland is a real place you may have actually driven through as a tourist many times. The inhabitants Mottl describes may also remind you of people you've met in your own small North American town somewhere along the way. However, Mottl’s narrative skill magnifies these people to a larger than life scale. Many of them are seen through the eyes of young adults.

“....The drunk was at the doorway, half in and half out, holding the door open as he chatted. Finally, he came rollicking out onto the snowy sidewalk and stumbled. He gathered himself, searched his pockets for his keys, and mumbled all the while about something. His car was covered with heavy snowfall. ‘Christ,’ he said. Then he brushed off his car with big sweep-like motions of his arms. He fought with his big wool overcoat that flapped around his body; one arm seemed to be stuck in one pocket.”

Mottl’s feel for the natural environment is just as intense. He could have expanded a risky, high-speed adventure across the water into an entire book. The scene is filled with arcane nautical terms: “....I kicked myself for putting up the outer jib because now I had to take her down. I felt the power of the wind in the tiller and knew I had too much sail up and too much weather helm.” With Mottl at that helm, you don’t need a dictionary. You only need to lean back and enjoy the ride.

Mottl’s most challenging character is a Chinese named Sam Yik. He’s a produce peddler on opium. Cumberland’s Chinatown is confined to a swamp, but there is no prejudice against the sage advice Sam Yik gives Cumberland. Apparently, Mottl plans to do more with Sam Yik in future novels.

Clyde List

Mother's Keep is a hauntingly beautiful novel that took me on an emotional rollercoaster. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the lives of its complex characters, each one facing their own personal struggles and triumphs. The story is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, beautifully weaving themes of family, sacrifice, and the powerful bond between mother and child.

The writing itself is poetic and evocative, full of vivid imagery that pulled me into the setting and the emotions of the characters. It’s the kind of book where every sentence feels deliberate, rich with meaning. The author’s prose has a way of lingering in your mind long after you’ve turned the page.

One of my favorite things about this book is how it explores the idea of healing and redemption. The journey of self-discovery is portrayed so thoughtfully, showing that sometimes the path to peace and understanding is neither easy nor straightforward. I also loved how the book isn’t afraid to ask tough questions, challenging the reader to consider what truly matters in life.

Mother's Keep is a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories with emotional depth and rich character development. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, and I’m already looking forward to revisiting it. Highly recommend!

Linda Henderson

The Cumberland Tales is a beautifully woven tapestry of memory, loss, and the enduring bonds of friendship. Set against a backdrop of vibrant imagery and deep emotional resonance, the narrative takes me through the lives of characters who are as complex as they are relatable.

The prose is rich and evocative, drawing me into the nostalgic world of childhood adventures and the bittersweet realities of growing up. Frank expertly contrasts the innocence of youth with the harshness of life's inevitable changes, exploring themes of friendship, mortality, and the passage of time. The moments of levity, such as the whimsical antics with Cy and the quirky encounters in old Chinatown, provide a delightful balance to the poignant reflections on loss and memory.

Each character is meticulously crafted, and their relationships resonate with authenticity. The vivid descriptions of the setting breathe life into the story, making me feel as though I am walking alongside the characters through the streets of their past.

Frank's storytelling is both poignant and lyrical, leaving a lasting impact that lingers long after the final page is turned. The Cumberland Tales is a powerful exploration of what it means to remember, to cherish, and to let go. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates beautifully crafted narratives that touch the heart.

Linda Henderson

Not a regular reader of fiction I hesitated on reading Cumberland Gold. But the story set in this small Vancouver Island community intrigued me enough to take a closer look. I found a story of an earlier time when coal and gold were king and Chinese labour was imported to do the dangerous dirty mining work. Homeland Chinese history, politics, greed, gold, and death dance across the page to a final crescendo. With spaced lines and larger than normal print it is easy to read. Thank-you Mr. Mottl.

Bob Wilson